Collectibles or Cultural Heritage?

[DaveA]

Friends,

This is always an interesting discussion. There are often some new things to be said from a unique point of view. I have been thinking about the topic lately and perhaps you find this idea interesting:

We collect stories, not just historical artifacts. Every object was made by a person, for a person, in a certain place and time, including the context of life (both immediate and overall). Moreover, the items were usually created many, many generations before us. They survived, and will survive long after us if we are good stewards and curators. They are time travelers. What a story they can tell if we can decipher it!

These are our window on history, and on humanity. We ask why, why, why and sometimes, through our collective knowledge, new answers emerge.

The pristine, highly decorated items are definitely relevant. They tell us what people thought about prestige, and how it was communicated. The sturdy but plain weapons, many with marks of battle damage tell us about why people carried such weapons and how they used them. Others, often very odd in shape, are intertwined with spiritual and religious beliefs.

I’m fascinated by them all because I’m always learning something new, and I thank you all for your contributions to this forum!

Happy hunting!

Dave A